Indus River Valley Civilization - Review Sheet Flashcards
Why does the architecture of Mohenjo-Daro indicate an organized government?
There was evidence of a marketplace, temples, public buildings, residential districts demonstrating a power in place to enforce these public buildings. Because of the debate on if the civilization was made of city-states or large cities, one can only say there was som type of government.
What river valley was Harappan society built around?
The Indus River seemed to be the location for the civilization.
What are some possible reason why Indus River Valley urban sites were abandoned?
One theory is that the environment had been degraded by the civilization and no longer could be used. Another theory for decline is that a natural disatser may have occurred. Drought, earthquakes that shifted the course of the rivers would be catastrophic. Another theory is that there was an invasion but that has little evidence.
What are some of the archeological issues (difficulties) in IRV sites?
The writing system in IRV is undecipherable, so only artifacts and sites can be used for information. Ther
How do historians disagree about the implications of Harappan civilization architecture?
Some historians believe that there is no direct evidence of a large empire, the civilization was made of independent city-states. Other historians think that there is monumental architecture based on evidence of miniature cities serving as homes and remenants of columns.
Why did writing develop?
Writing was most likely used to document taxes, mark places to more easy organize a society.
What is the difference between symbolic and phonetic writing systems?
Symbolic writing is usually the first form that is created and overtime it became more efficient to simplify those symbols because it was too time-consuming. In a symbolic writing system you would need to memorize thousands of separate symbols but phonetic writing systems would only require letters to be memorized, with infinite word combinations.
What are some obstacles that early river valley civilizations had to overcome?
With the influence of two groups, a new more complex social system as created, known as the caste system. Edit this
